In creating this journal, the author has assumed the identity of a fictional person for use in the role-playing game fandomhigh, for the sole purpose of entertainment, without intending to obtain a benefit or to injure or defraud either the person who created the fictional person, or any reader of this content. The author does not purport to be the creator of the fictional person, or to be affiliated with the creator, or with any person or entity with an interest in the fictional person. The author does not claim to be the person who is being used as the graphical representation of that fictional person, nor intend to obtain a benefit or to injure or defraud that person by use of their image.

Z had lost track of what Ghost was saying about five minutes prior. It was just sound now. That, combined with her total distraction, meant she was probably the least effective patrol officer in the history of SPD. Plus, her uniform was really hot and itchy. That made this decision easy.

"So then he said--"

"Stop the Jeep."

"What?"

"Stop the Jeep."

"Is there crime?"

"No, just stop the car. Here," she said, pointing to a conveniently located alley. "Stop the car here."

( If the Jeep is rocking... )

A call echoed through the corridors of SPD Earth Headquarters: "KAT! Kat, we need to talk." Dr. Katherine Manx looked up from her work just in time to see four of Earth's most valiant defenders walk in. The girls were in the lead, and they looked--well, like they'd just had a six-hour patrol shift in the Jeep to work themselves up about something. Sky looked nervous. Ghost looked amused, but that was pretty much par for the course with Ghost.

"Kat, just so you know," Sky began, "I have no part of this, they made me come--"

"Sky," Syd said warningly, and Sky shut his mouth.

"Is there a problem, cadets?" Kat asked, leaning forward in her best 'I am here to help you and listen to your concerns' pose.

"Yeah, there's a problem," Z said. "We need to talk about the ( uniforms )

Everyone denied accountability for the heat lamp designed for terrariums that appeared on Cruger's desk later that day, but Kat had her suspects.

Z was sacked out on the common room couch with a bag of chips and an Angelica Demesnes novel. Life was good.

...or it was until Ghost became visible, leaning over the back of the couch, and asked her, "Whatcha readin'?"

"None of your business," she said, trying to hide the book. "You know it's actually kind of creepy when you do that."

He shrugged and snatched the book from her. "Not my problem. Fire Opals, by Angelica Demesnes." He repeated, incredulous, "Angelica Demesnes?"

"This one hadn't been released when I left Fandom," Z said, snatching it back from him. "Actually..." she did some fast relative math in her head. "I don't think it's been released now. But anyway, I haven't read it yet, and it's not great literature, but it's entertaining, so bite me." Ghost clicked his teeth at her, and she snickered.

"Have you eaten dinner yet?" Z gestured wordlessly to her bag of chips, and Ghost rolled his eyes. "Delgado, that is not dinner. Come on. Come get some food that isn't junk or from a synthetron with me. You can defend your girl book some more."

"Girl book??" He wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Oh, you are on, mister." Her eyes glowed briefly, and a Z replicate stood up and left the common room.

"Where are you going?" Ghost asked as Z stood up to join him.

"To get the other books, so I can tell you about them." Ghost began to realize what he'd let himself in for, and groaned. Z just grinned.

Z had had a long day of fighting crime--by which she meant 'driving around in a Jeep on patrol, and finding no crime.' Shut up, that Jeep didn't even have an MP3 player, and also her butt was kind of numb. She needed to unwind. She needed a manicure and a pedicure.

Now, for most girls, that would mean either shelling out some cash or contorting themselves and swearing. But Z wasn't most girls, and sometimes superpowers actually came in handy. One Z replicate was painting her toenails, a second her fingernails, and a third had gone to Synthetron up some pie a la mode.

Syd entered the room, stared at the Zs for a moment, and, of course, complained. "That is so unfair."

"You can turn your fingernail clippings into diamonds," Z chorused. "Don't tell us about unfair."

"...and also creepy. Ew." Syd fled just as the last replicate returned with the pie.

Oh, yeah. Life was good.

Sure, it was a holiday, but someone had to patrol. Luckily, that was finally over. Z collapsed into one of the common room sofas with a sigh bordering on a groan and threw her feet up on the table. Who cared if there was a rule about it? Her feet hurt.

After a few seconds, she heard someone say, "There you are!" and cracked open one eye to look at Ghost. He hadn't made it out for Thanksgiving, either, but in his case it was more a matter of distance.

( The Ghost of Thanksgiving Present )

There were times Z missed Fandom High. When she was getting shot at or having cars thrown at her or doing the obstacle course, for instance. That stuff only happened in Fandom like, once every couple of months, not once a week. And Luke had been a much better roommate than Syd.

There were other times Z didn't miss the past at all. Like right now, hanging out and reading old articles on the frenzy surrounding the release of that teen vampire movie and laughing her head off. Sometimes distance was a good thing.

((Open for whatever!))

( And now, the moment of truth )

The door to 317 stood open. Inside, its lone occupant was flipping through magazines and trying, as per usual these days, to ignore the empty side of the room.

It was lonely without Luke and Artoo. Z would be glad to be distracted.

((Open!))

Z stuck up a note to her cabinmates next to a sign-up sheet in the living room. The note read:

( read me )

Getting in ever so slightly ahead of the rush, I hope.

*refreshes friendslist*

...getting in somewhat after the beginning of the rush, then.

( Punk Means Cuddle: Zero )

( Zero to Hero in No Time Flat: Z )

( What If We Make Reason an Act of Treason: Steve )

( The Former Evil Gay Zombie Mutant Speedster Ninja...No, Really: Jean-Paul )

( The Spirit of the Twentieth Century: Jenny )

( Attack of the Clone: Alex )

Questions? Comments? Muffins?

I spent four days on Santorini in June of 2005. It was awesome and I loved every minute of it, the island is gorgeous and I love it wildly, but basically, here I am to be your helpful resource for the duration of our stay!

And now, a brief guide to the island without having to go through all those websites Karal linked yesterday. Though you should totally read those too. :D

( Santorini in Ten Minutes: Your Island and You )

I hope y'all find some of this information helpful. I will be available for questions via the comments here, e-mail, or IM for the duration of our stay. Enjoy your stay by beautiful virtual Santorini!

Z had no children. But after a run to Turtle and Canary, Z had Cheetos and candy. She also had stolen pixie extra credit booze in her sock drawer, music, and an open door. Any kids who came in her room were so getting sugared up. She was nice like that. Their parents probably wouldn't think so, but what did Z care? She was kid-free!

(Open!))

Bridge, Sky and Z had fully expected to be on a shuttle back to Fandom right now. However, this was not to be... ( dun dun duuuun )

When Z reached room 317 very very late Thursday night, she'd changed into her unfortunate PJs (quietly, so as not to wake Luke) and wrapped up in her blanket to sleep for a very very long time. Then she'd woken up, seen snow out her window, and thought for a brief, horrified moment she was still in Alberta. But no, this was her room. This was her stuff, and Luke's stuff. This was...home.

So she got up, got some food from the Synthetron, and got dressed. And then sat down at her computer, trying to figure out what to do next.

((Open! May go to slowplay!))

( This ain't where the road comes to an end )

((For Bridge; OOC OK))

( I've got pride, I'm takin' it for a ride )

((NFB, NFI, OOC OK, ETC))

( That's about as lonely as the highway's ever been )

( Born to be a leaver... )

((NFB, NFI, ETC.))

Is it can be OOC info post tiem nao?

Okay, so, my characters, in alphabetical order!

( Beaubier, Jean-Paul )

( Delgado, Elizabeth )

( Hopeless-Savage, Skank Zero )

( Rogers, Steve )

( Sparks, Jennifer )

Questions? Comments? Pie? Anybody want to be a TA for either of my teachers?